104 WAR CUSTOMS. 



a shield burgh, that is, surrounded by a circle of men armed, 

 besides their offensive weapons, with shields. 



"King Magnus Barefoot went from Vikin with some of his 

 lendirmen to procure the submission of Sveinki, a powerful 

 bondi, who resided near the Gauta river. When they came 

 ashore they saw Sveinki coming from his bu with a host of 

 well-equipped men. The lendirmen raised a white shield, 

 and when Steinki noticed this he stopped his band, and they 

 met" (Magnus Barefoot, c. S). 1 



"As the host of Snorri passed below by the mountainside. 

 Steinthor threw a spear over the host of Snorri, according to 

 ancient custom, for the sake of good luck " (Eyrbyggja, c, 44). 



It seems that the age at which the youth of the country 

 were called to bear arms was fifteen years, when they became of 

 age. If the country was in great peril they could be called 

 out at the age of twelve ; but from eighteen upwards seems to 

 have been the age when young men were most appreciated. 



A short time the king He slew 



Waited for a fight The hard Handing, 



When he was Who long ruled over 



Fifteen winters old Lands and men. 



The guest, like the hostage, was expected to fight and help 

 his host. 



"Next spring Half was twelve winters old, and no man was 

 as tall or as strong as he. Then he made ready to go on war- 

 fare, and had a new and well-outfitted ship. In Hordaland 

 there was a Jarl named Alt' the old. He was married to 

 Gunnlod, daughter of the Berserk Hromund. sister of the 

 hersir Hamund the valiant. They had two sons, both named 

 Stein. The elder was then eighteen winters old. He w r as at 

 that time the advice-giver of King Half. No one could go on 

 expeditions who was younger or more youthful than he. A 

 large stone lay in the yard, and no one was allowed to go who 

 could not lift it from the ground ; nor could any one go who 

 was not so hardy that he never was afraid, or who spoke words 

 of fear, or drew back his lips (changed countenance) on 

 account of wounds. 



" Stein the younger, Gunnlod's son, was not able to go on 

 account of his age, for he was only twelve winters old " (Half, 

 and Half's Champions' Saga, c. 10). 



1 Cf. also An Bogsveigi's SM^M : < >rvar Odd's Saga; Fridtlijofs Saga, c. 6. 



